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Zion Hiking

Common sense hiking cautions - Weather Report

Utah's Zion National Park is canyon country. There is a rock fall somewhere in Zion National Park every single day. There are sheer cliffs, loose rocks and slippery sandstone. Think of standing on sandstone like standing on a layer of tiny round marbles. Stay away from the edges. Do not take children on trails that are not safe or designed for them. In the winter check with the Zion Visitor Center before heading for the trails as many get little sun and can be dangerous in the cold weather months. Flash floods are a real danger. Stay out of slot canyons if it's storming or will be. A storm far away can cause a flash flood. If there is lightning stay off the trails. If there is heavy rain or flash flooding, water can sweep hikers off the trails and off the side of a cliff. Hypothermia, heat cramps, heat exhaustion and heat stroke are concerns when hiking. Stay hydrated. Watch kids closely. Wear hats in the summer and in the winter wear layers of clothing. Bring high energy foods to snack on when hiking. Wear comfortable shoes appropriate for hiking and bring bandages. Hikers often cut short a trip due to blisters and sore toes from their shoes. Do not feed animals or touch them. Do not give in to the begging fat little squirrels at the end of the Riverside Walk Trail no matter how cute Feeding wild animals makes them aggressive to be destroyed by the park as it must protect you as well as it can. You are responsible for your own safety at all times and take the same or better precautions for your children or elderly with you.